Be careful what you ask for. Or at least, be careful when you ask for it. Last year, VW introduced the third generation Beetle. This year, the big news for Beetle is the addition of a convertible model.

At the time of the 2012 launch, I wasn't able to test the most sporting powertrain combo: the turbo 4 with six-speed manual transmission. So, with both things in mind, I scheduled a turbo, stick sedan, and asked to be kept in mind for a convertible later in the year, when a top down car could be fully appreciated. The surprise, then, wasn't that I got what I asked for — a turbo six-speed. The surprise was, the turbo was tucked inside a Beetle Convertible. In January.

When I stopped laughing, I realized that there are a couple of advantages to this IRD (Inadvertent Ragtop Delivery). I could still drive the sportiest drivetrain in the Beetle's arsenal, just as planned. But, I could also take a long held theory, and finally put it to the test. That is: front-wheel-drive convertibles are practical enough to drive year 'round, here in the northeast.

First things first. VW's 2.0-liter turbo four didn't disappoint. It remains one of my favorite, four cylinder engines. Despite its small displacement, the 2.0T has enough torque (207 lb. ft.) to move briskly off the dime. As you pick up speed and the turbo kicks in, it stays quick (0-60, under 7 seconds), yet never loses its refinement. Finally, it delivers very solid fuel economy. EPA estimates for the 2.0T/6-speed combo are 21 city, 30 highway, and I posted 28 mpg's during a chilly week in Albany. The shifter on the six-speed has a longish throw, but a positive feel going from cog to cog.

Speaking of mileage, the Beetle's engine options include the 2.0 turbo diesel. I've recently driven the TDI in the Passat, and the plus/minus points remain the same. The upside is good torque and fine economy (28/41). The downside is higher initial cost, and more expensive fuel. The standard engine in the Beetle Convertible is the 2.5-liter five-cylinder. With its six-speed automatic transmission, and EPA ratings of 21/27, the base model stickers for $24,995. The TDI lists for $27,895, and the 2.0T has an MSRP of $27,795. In addition to the engine and the roster of standard equipment on the base models, Turbos also get a sport suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, alloy pedals, fog lights and a dash top trio of auxiliary gauges.

Though not sporty per se, the Beetle Convertible feels fairly agile, and rides comfortably. The new car is 20 percent stiffer than the former model, but rough pavement reveals some cowl shake. The combination of front wheel drive, electronic stability control and the Turbo-exclusive, limited slip differential, make the car quite stable in snow and slop.

The Beetle interior in Convertible guise is largely the same as the Sedan. The front cabin features a trio of round gauges, viewed through a flat-bottomed wheel. The controls for HVAC, sound system and available nav system get a thumbs-up: they're simple, and non-distracting. The Fender sound system is worth opting for. There are few soft touch materials on hand, but the contrasting trim on my tester brightened up the look. Two-toning also helps the interior's overall appearance. Head/leg room are fine up front and the seats are comfortable, though the lumbar support comes up a little short. Back seat leg room quickly maxes out, if those up front are at all tall.

nterior storage includes a dash top tray and dual level glove boxes. The door-mounted straps hold a water bottle or a map. A long, thin, covered center console doubles as an inside arm rest. However, it also covers up one of the two, front cup holders. The Convertible's trunk isn't large — at 7.1 cubic feet — but it's bigger than its contemporaries (MINI Convertible (6.0), Fiat 500 Cabrio (5.4). Rear seatbacks fold for more storage.

In the VW tradition, the top is thick, well fitted and draft free. During my test drive week, temperatures were frequently in the single digits. The heater was more than up to the task of keeping things toasty, and the cabin remained warm and snug. The backlight (and the side mirrors) are heatable, so they're easy to keep clear. Really, the only downside of the top is rear visibility. Like a lot of ragtops, driver's deal with a 3/4 rear blind spot, due to the wide roofline. The back headrests also impede your straight back view, though removing them when the seats aren't in use erases the issue.

In warmer weather, of course, you'll want to drop that top. The process is one-button easy, and takes about 9.5 seconds to lower; 11 seconds to raise. When down, the top stacks on the deck behind the back seats. You have to look over this to see behind you, but it's better than the former Bug, because the stack sits a lot lower than it used to. And yes, on the lone day during my winter week when the sun was out and the temperatures flirted with the freezing mark, I took the Beetle for a bracing, top-down drive. I flashed my best, wintry smile, and was rewarded by many an icy stare.

Bottom line, the Turbo Convertible is indeed practical enough to let you safely weather an Albany winter. And, come springtime, you'll have three seasons worth of potential drop top days ahead of you: plenty of time for smiles, none of them frozen.

A regular contributor to the Times Union for the past 20 years, Dan Lyons is the award-winning author of six books, and photographer of 135 calendars. Read Dan's recent reviews on line anytime at www.timesunion.com/cars.